Palace of Theodoric in Ravenna
Palace of Theodoric in Ravenna, Ostrogothic palace ruins next to Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna, Italy
The Palace of Theodoric is a ruin with remains of floors, walls, and mosaics from the early sixth century, located right next to the church of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo. Visitors can see preserved mosaic fragments at ground level and in an upper display area, connected by a spiral staircase that leads between the two sections.
The building was constructed in the early sixth century as the residence of the Ostrogothic king Theodoric the Great, whose name appeared on lead pipes discovered at the site. After the collapse of the Ostrogothic kingdom, the location was covered and forgotten for centuries until excavations between 1907 and 1911 uncovered its remains.
The palace shows how Roman and Ostrogothic building styles mixed during this period and shaped the city's look. The mosaics and remaining structures reveal a place where two worlds came together.
The site sits right next to the church of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, making it easy to visit both places on the same day. The ruins are fairly compact, so a visit does not take long and can be easily combined with exploring other parts of the city.
Several columns from the original structure were transported to Aachen and built into Charlemagne's Palatine Chapel, where some were later taken to Paris by Napoleon. These columns remain scattered across different European locations and represent rare physical evidence of how this palace was valued and remembered long after its fall.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo
70 m
Dante Alighieri's tomb
301 m
Arian Baptistry
341 m
Basilica di San Francesco
303 m
Dante's Tomb
301 m
San Giovanni Evangelista, Ravenna
252 m
Palace of Theoderic
0 m
Santa Maria in Porto Basilica
228 m
Basilica di Sant'Agata Maggiore
367 m
Ravenna Art Museum
299 m
Spirito Santo
340 m
Palazzo della Provincia
355 m
Santa Barbara
89 m
San Carlino
234 m
Santo Stefano degli Ulivi
360 m
Luigi Rasi Theatre
126 m
Giardini Speyer
310 m
Santa Maria delle Croci
302 m
Biblioteca di Storia contemporanea Alfredo Oriani
355 m
La Gerusalemme Celeste
263 m
Museo Dantesco
285 m
San Salvatore ad Chalchis
34 m
Cripta Rasponi
323 m
Collezione Mosaici Moderni
234 m
Cavallo di Mimmo Paladino
267 m
Loggetta lombardesca
264 m
Monastero dell'Abbazia di Santa Maria in Porto
289 m
San Francesco tower
278 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes